Reducing the Size of a Gas Port of a Gas Operated Firearm

ABSTRACT

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is otherwise serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/050,785, filed Jul. 11, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm when the gas port is oversized or eroded, or the firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 10,101,104; in a gas operated firearm there is usually a small gas port, or small hole, in the barrel that vents gas with every shot.

SUMMARY

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is otherwise serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a prior art rifle barrel.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a gas operated firearm.

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of a gas block.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an apparatus 140 a according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260 a according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140 a according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420 a according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420 a according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of an apparatus 140 b according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260 b according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140 b according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420 b according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420 b according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a top view of an apparatus 140 t according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260 t according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140 t according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420 t according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420 t according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of an apparatus 140 y according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified gas port 260 y according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 140 y according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 shows a side-view of a male gas port insert 420 y according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the male gas port insert 420 y according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows a prior art table.

FIG. 34 shows a table of parts “a”.

FIG. 35 shows a table of parts “b”.

FIG. 36 shows a table of parts “t”.

FIG. 37 shows a table of parts “y”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Usually when a gas port of a gas operated firearm is oversized or eroded, or a firearm is being modified, for example, to use a suppressor, the barrel often has to be replaced with a barrel having a smaller sized gas port; this is particularly wasteful when the original barrel is serviceable for many more thousands of rounds. The present invention reduces the need to replace the barrel.

It should be understood the term “fluid” is defined as hot gases directed from a central bore via to an outer surface of a barrel wall and thence under normal operating conditions of a gas operated firearm the hot gases are directed to a gas block.

It should be understood that the term “worn” is defined as an oversized prior art gas port 130 a as a result of damage caused by hot gases from a prior art central bore 136 passing through the original gas port (i.e., prior art gas port 130 a) thereby eroding the original gas port.

Tables A, B, T, and Y (i.e., shown in FIGS. 34 through 37, respectively) are intended to aid understanding of the present invention.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200 a with outer 220 a and inner 240 a surfaces. A modified gas port 260 a is located between the outer 220 a and inner 240 a surfaces, the modified gas port 260 a comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280 a and a worn first bore 360 a, the inverted female top hat configuration 280 a comprises a third bore 500 a and a fourth bore 520 a.

Still referring to the first embodiment, a male gas port insert 420 a is located in the inverted female top hat configuration 280 a such that the male gas port insert 420 a occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500 a and at least a portion of the fourth bore 520 a, the male gas port insert 420 a having a second bore 440 a therethrough.

Still referring to the first embodiment, a flared portion 460 a is located at a first opposite end 445 a of the second bore 440 a, the flared portion 460 a is in fluid communication with the second bore 440 a and the worn first bore 360 a,

Still referring to the first embodiment, the worn first bore 360 a defines a first diameter 400 a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 a, the second bore 440 a defines a second diameter 455 a of at least a portion of the second bore 440 a, and the second diameter 455 a is less than the first diameter 400 a.

In one aspect of the present invention, which is dependent on the first embodiment, the flared portion 460 a defines a maximum diameter 465 a, and the maximum diameter 465 a is equal to the first diameter 400 a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 a defines a stem 595 a, the stem 595 a having a diameter 597 a of at least a portion of the stem 595 a. The flared portion 460 a defines a maximum diameter 465 a. The maximum diameter 465 a is greater than the first diameter 400 a of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 a, and the maximum diameter 465 a is less than the diameter 597 a of the stem 595 a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 a is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration 280 a.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 a has a T-shaped cross section 480 a to complement the shape of the inverted female top hat configuration 280 a.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200 b with outer 220 b and inner 240 b surfaces. A modified gas port 260 b is located between the outer 220 b and inner 240 b surfaces. The modified gas port 260 b comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280 b and a worn first bore 360 b. The inverted female top hat configuration 280 b comprises a third bore 500 b and a fourth bore 520 b.

Still referring to the second embodiment, a male gas port insert 420 b is located in the inverted female top hat configuration 280 b such that the male gas port insert 420 b occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500 b and at least a portion of the fourth bore 520 b. The male gas port insert 420 b having a second bore 440 b therethrough such that the second 440 b and first 360 b bores extend between the outer 220 b and inner 240 b surfaces.

Still referring to the second embodiment, the worn first bore 360 b defines a first diameter 400 b of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 b, the second bore 440 b defines a second diameter 455 b of at least a portion of the second bore 440 b, and the second diameter 455 b is less than the first diameter 400 b. In this embodiment, a flared portion is not located at a first opposite end 445 b of the second bore 440 b.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the second embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 b is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration 280 b.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the second embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 b has a T-shaped cross section 480 b to complement the shape of the female top hat configuration 280 b.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200 t with outer 220 t and inner 240 t surfaces. A modified gas port 260 is located between the outer 220 t and inner 240 t surfaces, the modified gas port 260 t comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280 t and a worn first bore 360 t, the inverted female top hat configuration 280 t comprises a third bore 500 t and a fourth bore 520 t.

Still referring to the third embodiment, a male gas port insert 420 t screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration 280 t such that the male gas port insert 420 t occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500 t and at least a portion of the fourth 520 t bore, the male gas port insert 420 t having a second bore 440 t therethrough. A flared portion 460 t is located at a first opposite end 445 t of the second bore 440 t; the flared portion 460 t is in fluid communication with the second bore 440 t and the worn first bore 360 t.

Still referring to the third embodiment, the worn first bore 360 t defines a first diameter 400 t of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 t, the second bore 440 t defines a second diameter 455 t of at least a portion of the second bore 440 t, and the second diameter 455 t is less than the first diameter 400 t.

In one aspect of the present invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 t defines a stem 595 t. An external thread 600 t extends at least partway around stem 595 t, and a complementary internal thread 620 t extends at least partway around the fourth bore 520 t of the inverted female top hat configuration 280 t.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 t defines a stem 595 t, the stem 595 t having a diameter 597 t of at least a portion of the stem 595 t. The flared portion 460 t defines a maximum diameter 465 t, and the maximum diameter 465 t is equal to the first diameter 400 t.

In a further aspect of the invention, which depends on the third embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 t defines a stem 595 t, the stem 595 t having a diameter 597 t of at least a portion of the stem 595 t. The flared portion 460 t defines a maximum diameter 465 t such that the maximum diameter 465 t is greater than the first diameter 400 t of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 t, and the maximum diameter 465 t is less than the diameter 597 t of the stem 595 t.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, whereupon the apparatus comprises a barrel wall 200 y with outer 220 y and inner 240 y surfaces. A modified gas port 260 y is located between the outer 220 y and inner 240 y surfaces, the modified gas port 260 y comprises an inverted female top hat configuration 280 y and a worn first bore 360 y, the inverted female top hat configuration 280 y comprises a third bore 500 y and a fourth bore 520 y.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, a male gas port insert 420 y screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration 280 y such that the male gas port insert 420 y occupies at least a portion of the third bore 500 y and at least a portion of the fourth 520 y bore, the male gas port insert 420 y having a second bore 440 y therethrough.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, the worn first bore 360 y defines a first diameter 400 y of at least a portion of the worn first bore 360 y. The second bore 440 y defines a second diameter 455 y of at least a portion of the second bore 440 y. The second diameter 455 y is less than the first diameter 400 y.

Still referring to the fourth embodiment, a flared portion is not located at a first opposite end 445 y of the second bore 440 y.

In another aspect of the present invention, which depends on the fourth embodiment, the male gas port insert 420 y defines a stem 595 y. An external thread 600 y extends at least partway around stem 595 y, and a complementary internal thread 620 y extends at least partway around the fourth bore 520 y of the inverted female top hat configuration 280 y.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising: a barrel wall (200 a) with outer (220 a) and inner (240 a) surfaces, a modified gas port (260 a) is located between the outer (220 a) and inner (240 a) surfaces, the modified gas port (260 a) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280 a) and a worn first bore (360 a), the inverted female top hat configuration (280 a) comprises a third bore (500 a) and a fourth bore (520 a), a male gas port insert (420 a) is located in the inverted female top hat configuration (280 a) such that the male gas port insert (420 a) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500 a) and at least a portion of the fourth bore (520 a), the male gas port insert (420 a) having a second bore (440 a) therethrough, a flared portion (460 a) located at a first opposite end (445 a) of the second bore (440 a), the flared portion (460 a) is in fluid communication with the second bore (440 a) and the worn first bore (360 a), wherein the worn first bore (360 a) defines a first diameter (400 a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 a), wherein the second bore (440 a) defines a second diameter (455 a) of at least a portion of the second bore (440 a), and wherein the second diameter (455 a) is less than the first diameter (400 a).
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flared portion (460 a) defines a maximum diameter (465 a), and wherein the maximum diameter (465 a) is equal to the first diameter (400 a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 a).
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male gas port insert (420 a) defines a stem (595 a), the stem (595 a) having a diameter (597 a) of at least a portion of the stem (595 a), wherein the flared portion (460 a) defines a maximum diameter (465 a), wherein the maximum diameter (465 a) is greater than the first diameter (400 a) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 a), and wherein the maximum diameter (465 a) is less than the diameter (597 a) of the stem (595 a).
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male gas port insert (420 a) is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration (280 a).
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male gas port insert (420 a) has a T-shaped cross section (480 a) to complement the shape of the inverted female top hat configuration (280 a).
 6. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising: a barrel wall (200 b) with outer (220 b) and inner (240 b) surfaces, a modified gas port (260 b) is located between the outer (220 b) and inner (240 b) surfaces, the modified gas port (260 b) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280 b) and a worn first bore (360 b), the inverted female top hat configuration (280 b) comprises a third bore (500 b) and a fourth bore (520 b), a male gas port insert (420 b) is located in the inverted female top hat configuration (280 b) such that the male gas port insert (420 b) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500 b) and at least a portion of the fourth bore (520 b), the male gas port insert (420 b) having a second bore (440 b) therethrough such that the second (440 b) and first (360 b) bores extend between the outer (220 b) and inner (240 b) surfaces, wherein the worn first bore (360 b) defines a first diameter (400 b) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 b), wherein the second bore (440 b) defines a second diameter (455 b) of at least a portion of the second bore (440 b), wherein the second diameter (455 b) is less than the first diameter (400 b), and wherein a flared portion (460 a) is not located at a first opposite end (445 b) of the second bore (440 b).
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the male gas port insert (420 b) is press fitted into the inverted female top hat configuration (280 b).
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the male gas port insert (420 b) has a T-shaped cross section (480 b) to complement the shape of the female top hat configuration (280 b).
 9. An apparatus for reducing the size of a gas port of a gas operated firearm, the apparatus comprising: a barrel wall (200 t) with outer (220 t) and inner (240 t) surfaces, a modified gas port (260 t) is located between the outer (220 t) and inner (240 t) surfaces, the modified gas port (260 t) comprises an inverted female top hat configuration (280 t) and a worn first bore (360 t), the inverted female top hat configuration (280 t) comprises a third bore (500 t) and a fourth bore (520 t), a male gas port insert (420 t) screwed into the inverted female top hat configuration (280 t) such that the male gas port insert (420 t) occupies at least a portion of the third bore (500 t) and at least a portion of the fourth (520 t) bore, the male gas port insert (420 t) having a second bore (440 t) therethrough, a flared portion (460 t) located at a first opposite end (445 t) of the second bore (440 t), the flared portion (460 t) is in fluid communication with the second bore 440 t and the worn first bore 360 t, wherein the worn first bore (360 t) defines a first diameter (400 t) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 t), wherein the second bore (440 t) defines a second diameter (455 t) of at least a portion of the second bore (440 t), wherein the second diameter (455 t) is less than the first diameter (400 t).
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the male gas port insert (420 t) defines a stem (595 t), wherein an external thread (600 t) extends at least partway around stem (595 t), and wherein a complementary internal thread (620 t) extends at least partway around the fourth bore (520 t) of the inverted female top hat configuration (280 t).
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the male gas port insert (420 t) defines a stem (595 t), the stem (595 t) having a diameter (597 t) of at least a portion of the stem (595 t), wherein the flared portion (460 t) defines a maximum diameter (465 t), and wherein the maximum diameter (465 t) is equal to the first diameter (400 t).
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the male gas port insert (420 t) defines a stem (595 t), the stem (595 t) having a diameter (597 t) of at least a portion of the stem (595 t), wherein the flared portion (460 t) defines a maximum diameter (465 t), wherein the maximum diameter (465 t) is greater than the first diameter (400 t) of at least a portion of the worn first bore (360 t), and wherein the maximum diameter (465 t) is less than the diameter (597 t) of the stem (595 t). 